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PU reserves 5 pc seats in engineering institute
Economically weaker students to benefit
Chandigarh, April 20
As a step towards granting financial assistance to students from economically weaker sections, Panjab University has decided to reserve 5 per cent free seats in the University Institute of Engineering from its first session onwards in the forthcoming academic year.

Govt press lacks fire control equipment
SAS Nagar, April 20
Fire safety at the local Government Press seems to weigh little on the minds of the officials of the Printing and Stationery Department. A place for printing government stationery, including ballot papers and Budget speeches, the premises lacks the fire control equipment — otherwise necessary to be installed at a place used for printing and storing combustible material like paper.

Fire in TBRL range
Chandigarh, April 20
A major forest fire broke out in the Morni block this afternoon, which spread into the high-security Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory's range near Ramgarh. It was only seven hours after the blaze began that it could be brought under control.

Cacti blooms win hearts Chandigarh, April 20 Unlike in the past when the National Cactus and Succulent Society held its annual cacti show in October, this year saw a reversal of the trend. For the first time perhaps, over 2,000 varieties of cacti, created and housed by people all across UT, Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, went into evidence in the blooming season.
Impressed by the rich cacti collection which features in the silver jubilee show of National Cactus and Succulent Society at Lala Lajpat Rai Bhawan, Sector 15, General Jacob stops to see one of the exotic varieties. — Tribune photo Parvesh Chauhan

Providing succour to patients’ kin
Chandigarh, April 20
More than 300 attendants of patients and visitors to the PGI line up everyday at the footpath near the PGI car parking to avail themselves of a free-food facility being provided by a Samaritan.

The driver of a van escaped with minor injuries after the vehicle overturned on colliding with a car on the Sector 47-48 dividing road on Saturday. The driver, Mohan  Lal, a mechanic residing in Sector 47,  has  been  admitted to GMCH,  Sector 32.

‘No decision on nuclear power plant yet’
Chandigarh, April 20
The Atomic Energy Department has not yet taken any decision to set up a nuclear power plant in Punjab, said Mr S.K. Malhotra, head (public awareness), Department of Atomic Energy.

Man assaults in-laws over daughter’s birth
Chandigarh, April 20
A resident of Sector 21, Jagdeep, was remanded in two days’ police custody by a local court. He was arrested early today for allegedly barging into his in-laws’ house and assaulting and injuring several persons with a sharp-edged weapon.

COMMUNITY

BSNL mobile service by August-end
Chandigarh, April 20

Mobile services would start in Chandigarh and Punjab by August this year, said the Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, Mr Prithipal Singh, after inaugurating the telephone exchange at Mani Majra where the mobile switching centre is being installed. Mr Prithipal Singh, Chairman, BSNL, looks at the mobile switch unit at the Telephone Exchange, Mani Majra, Chandigarh, which was inaugurated on Saturday. — A Tribune photograph

Books interest them more than computers
Chandigarh, April 20
Despite computers turning our world upside down while making information available at the click of a button, there are youngsters who are keeping the passion of reading alive, almost unfazed by all that technology has to offer.

Jucuzzi, wave pool and more at Funcity

Panchkula, April 20 Funcity, a theme park near Ramgarh, 12 km from here, has come up with some exciting new features like wave pool, para ballooning and Jacuzzi. It is for the first time in the region that sea waves are being artificially created in a pool. Youngsters cool off in the newly introduced wave pool in Funcity on Saturday. — Tribune photo Manoj Mahajan

Punished for catching thief?
Chandigarh, April 20
A 14-year-old resident of Palsora, Vikas Kumar, has alleged that he was illegally detained at the Sector 39 police station for over 12 hours after he was assaulted and injured by some persons. He has also alleged that a Sub Inspector has demanded Rs 3,000 to let him go.

Rath Yatra Sankirtan

Chandigarh, April 20 A grand Rath Yatra Sankirtan procession with the “presiding deities” was taken out by the followers of Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya Math during their ongoing six-day annual function and Ram Navami celebrations here today. The resident-acharya of Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya Math, Srila Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj, leads the Rath Yatra Sankirtan procession in Sector 20, Chandigarh, on Saturday. — A Tribune photograph

2-day seminar at Mansa Devi shrine
Panchkula, April 20
Sri Mata Mansa Devi Shrine Board will organise a two-day colloquium on “Worshipping Goddess- Mythology, Form and Ritual” on April 22 and 23 at Satsang Bhavan in temple complex.

• Shobha yatra organised

READERS WRITE
King of fruits cries for a Messiah
Chandigarh has so many mango trees. But why is it that the yield is so less? Over the years, the yield has been declining sharply. Almost every year, the flowering is good but deterioration starts before the setting of fruit. Mango hopper and powdery mildew are responsible for this decay, according to experts.

Rehabilitation centre for stray dogs sought
SAS Nagar, April 20
The local unit of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has sought a rehabilitation centre to run sterilisation programme for stray dogs in the township. It has expressed its concern over the increasing population of stray dogs.

• Shun hypocrisy, says Jagatguru

• Seminar on Punjabi journalism

• Power crisis

CRIME

Rs 2 lakh stolen from car
Chandigarh, April 20
Ravinderjit Singh Brar, resident of Sector 38 (West), has reported that a sum of Rs 2 lakh had been stolen from his car which had been parked near Neelam Theatre in Sector 17. According to the police, he had withdrawn the money from a bank for some business transaction. A case has been registered.

EDUCATION

JAC protest over Chancellor’s ‘inaction’

Chandigarh, April 20 The Punjabi University’s joint action committee, spearheading the agitation for the ouster of the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, held a protest dharna against the Chancellor, Lieut Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), here today. Members of the Punjabi University Teachers Association, Patiala, stage a dharna to demand the removal of the Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor in Sector 8, Chandigarh, on Saturday. — A Tribune photograph

Classes yet to start at upgraded school
SAS Nagar, April 20
Even as the Punjab Government has upgraded a primary and a middle school in the township, classes are yet to begin at the primary school in Phase 5 which had been upgraded to a middle school six years ago. Despite efforts, residents of the area have failed to get the infrastructure for the school.

Aeronautical society holds painting contest
Chandigarh, April 20
As a part of its annual interaction with schoolchildren, the Chandigarh chapter of the Aeronautical Society of India organised a painting competition on aviation-related topics for students here today. As many as 186 students from 36 schools based in Chandigarh, SAS Nagar and Panchkula participated in the competition.

Earth Day observed
Chandigarh, April 20
A function was organised to observe the Earth Day at DAV Public School here on Saturday. A story writing and drawing competition and a tree plantation drive was organised on the occasion.

DISTRICT COURTS
Defamation case against Amarinder adjourned
Chandigarh, April 20
The UT Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr C.L Mohal, today adjourned hearing in a defamation complaint filed against the Chief Minister of Punjab, Capt Amarinder Singh, by Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal for allegedly defaming him and his family through the publication of “defamatory” advertisements in newspapers (before Assembly election) till June 15.

CULTURE

Pattar holds audience spellbound
Chandigarh, April 20
"Sikhan, Musalmana ate Hinduan di bheed vich,

Rab tuadda firda mera banda kiddar gaya"

What could have a simple assembly of words took the hue of soul-searching poetry when recited by Surjit Pattar, eminent Punjabi poet, leaving everybody spellbound during a poetry recital session at the ICSSR Complex, Punjab University, here today.

30 take part in dance contest
Chandigarh, April 20
As many as 30 participants took part in “Dance Dhamaka”, a dance competition based on Bhangra, film and Western dance numbers which was organised by the Western Star Group in collaboration with All Art Cultural Association and Citi Entertainment Network at Tagore Theatre in Sector 18 here today.

FILM REVIEW
Weak plot, weaker presentation
‘Aap mujhe achche lagne lage’ (Nirman Chandigarh and KC, Panchkula) is a telling remark that larger than life screen images even like Hrithik Roshan cannot hold the future of a film with a weak plot and a weaker presentation.

HEALTH

PGI technical workers raise demands
Chandigarh, April 20
Members of the PGI Engineering Technical Workers Association held a meeting with Mr G.S. Rosha, Superintending Hospital Engineer, yesterday. A number of demands of the technical workers were brought up in the meeting.

SPORTS

Salawan school win school meet
Chandigarh, April 20
Salawan Public School, Delhi defeated Rizvi Boys School, Mumbai, by 66 runs to win the Parle-G school cricket tournament at PCA stadium, SAS Nagar today. Batting first Salawan school scored 245 for nine in their allotted 50 overs.

ADMINISTRATION

ADA’s ouster condemned
Chandigarh, April 20
UT Administration’s decision to terminate the ADA, Ms Anuradha Bali, has caused major ripples among different factions of the District Bar Association. Where a majority of the members are selling the view that advocates’ interference in an administrative decision is not in good taste, the other faction is in favour of garnering support for the ouster of the ADA.